In the early 19th century, Thomas Jefferson’s doctrines of nullification and interposition were used quite often. Most Americans will shake their heads and say, “Never heard of this,” but a brief look ...

For those joining the conversation mid-stream, this is the third in a series of posts introducing some themes of “The Constitution: An Introduction,” my new book co-authored with my son, Luke Paulsen.

Historical amnesia is as dangerously disorienting for a nation as for an individual. So it is with the current wave of enthusiasm for “states’ rights,” “interposition,” and “nullification”—the claim ...

Thomas Jefferson explained states’ rights under the Constitution in his Kentucky Resolutions of 1789. These resolutions placed, into the toolbox of states’ rights, two powerful doctrines: ...

Fifty years after its last high-water mark in American life, the dubious doctrine of interposition is back in vogue. Once offered up in vain by desperate southern leaders as a legal justification for ...

A number of states, including Missouri, Kansas, and Alaska either have passed or are considering state laws intended to invalidate federal statutes, most notably, federal gun laws. Many have modeled ...

With state legislatures back in session, legislators are looking for options to reassert their legitimate role in the constitutional structure of federalism. Sadly, a few otherwise well-intentioned ...

MONTGOMERY, Alabama – Sen. Dick Brewbaker cringed when he was asked if his opposition to so-called Common Core Standards for schools represents an example of what some have called a new wave of ...

The U.S. Supreme Court building. (Jacquelyn Martin, The Associated Press) Almost every semester in one of my courses at LSU, I discuss Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech. There's a ...

Texas Gov. Rick Perry talks about seceding from the Union, and he is echoed by Sarah Palin – to the cheers of adoring crowds. Texas gubernatorial candidate Deborah Medina, going even further than even ...

Health care reform has provoked an even stronger response nationally, with more than 20 legislatures debating bills to invalidate Obamacare within their states. As the National Conference of State ...

"The Constitution: An Introduction" was published this month by Basic Books. For those joining the conversation mid-stream, this is the third in a series of posts introducing some themes of "The ...